Mexican Youth Carry Torch from Mexico City in Guadalupan Torch Run

Mexican Youth Carry Torch from Mexico City in Guadalupan Torch Run to Raise Awareness for Plight of Undocumented
Messengers for the Dignity of People Divided by Borders left the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City on Oct 12, 2003, carrying a lit torch as they began an annual run to New York City to raise awareness of the plight of undocumented men, women and children in this country. On Thursday, December 11, the runners are expected to arrive at St. Augustine Parish, 3900 New York Avenue, Union City, at approximately 6 p.m.

The Most Rev. Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., Regional Bishop for Essex County, will offer a Mass at 6:45 p.m. to celebrate their cause and pray for their success.

After the Mass, the Tepeyac Association of New York, a major sponsor and coordinator of the Torch Run, will offer a presentation on the struggles of the undocumented. The Tepeyac Association is a non-profit network of community-based organization whose mission is to promote the social welfare and human rights of Latino immigrants.

Maricela Quintana , Director of the Hispanic Apostolate for the Archdiocese of Newark, commented, “We need to show solidarity with our undocumented brothers and sisters, and create awareness of what it means to be undocumented in this country.”

After the Mass on December 11, the runners will spend the night in Union City, and leave for their final destination at Saint Patrick Cathedral, New York, the next day – the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Empress of the Americas.

For more information, call Brian Forés in the Office of Communications at the Archdiocese of Newark, (973) 497-4189.

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Editor’s Note: Following is a copy of the Torch Runners’ route through the four counties of the Archdiocese.

Thursday, December 11, 2003

Union County
Route 27
Rahway 1:03 p.m.
Linden 1:34 p.m.
Roselle 2:01 p.m.
Elizabeth 2:22 p.m.
Left on Broad St./Rt. 27
Bear right on Newark Ave/Rt. 27

Essex County
Newark 3:15 p.m.
Rt. 27/ Newark Avenue
Take Right on Miller St.
Take Left on Rt. 21/McCarter Hwy
Take Right on Market St.
Bear Left on Raymond Blvd.
Merge into Rt. 1 North
Cross Passaic River

Hudson County
Kearny 3:30 p.m.
Route 1
Jersey City 4:15 p.m.
Straight on Communipaw Ave.
Left on JFK Blvd./Rt. 501
Union City 4:46 p.m.
Continue on JFK Blvd./Rt. 501
Right on 40th Street
Arrival at St. Augustine Parish, 3900 New York Ave., 6 p.m.

Friday, December 12, 2003

Union City
Depart from Union City 6:15 a.m.
Start on 545 35th heading West
Right onto JFK Blvd. West / Rt. 501
West New York

Bergen County 6:35 a.m.
JFK Blvd. (Rt. 501)
North Bergen
Right on 87 St.
Hudson Heights
Left on Bergenline Ave. (Rt. 29)
Fairview
Continue on Anderson Ave. (Rt. 29)
Right on Desoto Place
Left on Palisades Ave. (Rt. 27)
Cliffside Park
Palisades Park 7:00 a.m.
Bear left on Lemoine Ave.
Fort Lee
Continue on Schlosser St.
Right on Bruce Reynolds
Left on Hudson Terrace
Right on GW Bridge Walkway 7:30 a.m.
Leave Bergen County
Cross Hudson River via George Washington Bridge.